Allium
Onion
- Height × spread
- 0.15m – 1.5m × 0.05m – 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available as bulbs in Autumn, plants in Spring & Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Alliums include familiar edible plants such as onions, leeks and garlic as well as flowering types for borders or pots. Most have distinctive pom pom flowers on thick stems and come in blue, purple, white or pink, attracting bees in spring and summer. Sizes vary, from 60cm to 1m tall. The ornamental forms make good cut flowers and the dried flower heads continue the display into autumn.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Green, Grey, Lilac, Mauve, Pink, Purple, Red, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green, Grey
- Fruit colour
- Brown, Green, Silver, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Column, Cone, Dome, Fan, Oval, Prostrate, Round, Weeping
- Height
- 0.15m – 1.5m
- Spread
- 0.05m – 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Shady court, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Rock garden, Prairie garden, Mediterranean garden, Herb garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Coloured stems, Architectural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction
- Maintenance
- Some varieties are easycare (low/no maintenance)
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
AutumnNow
Autumn · Planting
Remove offsets to create new plants
Offsets are small plants or shoots that develop around the parent plant. They should have developed a root system of their own before they are detached. They can be planted directly, or grown in pots if so small they could be 'lost' in the garden.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
Planting
Divide some varieties differently
Some plant varieties within this genus have different requirements for dividing them when they get big. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for guidance, and/or check the label.
Found in
More Allium
Allium 'Gladiator'
Onion
Allium 'Globemaster'
Ornamental onion
Allium cristophii
Star of Persia, Persian onion
Allium hollandicum 'Purple Sensation'
Onion, Giant flowering onion
Allium stipitatum 'Mount Everest'
Trunked allium
Allium 'Beau Regards'
Ornamental onion
Allium 'Bubble Bath'
Ornamental onion
Allium 'Eros'
Ornamental onion